There is a corporate services department in all types of local authority. As the name suggests, it incorporates the council’s ‘core’ functions. All the services provided to a local community rely on efficient administration, human resource management, information technology support, legal representation and advice, marketing and promotion and thorough policy development and research.

But at the heart of this is sound financial acumen. No business, commercial or otherwise, can survive if the financial basis is unstable. Finance officers are part of a team that includes accountants, accounting technicians, accounting assistants or, as they are sometimes called, finance clerks. Finance officers work to professionally qualified accountants.

Work Environment

Most of the time is spent at a desk with a computer. Occasionally officers will need to visit other departments to discuss the way accounts are kept or spend time on audit work. They usually work a standard 37-hour week but must be flexible. Part time working and job-sharing are possible. They may have to attend evening meetings.

Daily Activities

Finance officers often act as line managers to accounting assistants and clerks and as such will have oversight of the basic accountancy functions:

• financial records
• production and analysis of figures for the accountants or departmental heads
• audit accounts
• invoices
• expenses claims
• computerised accounting systems

When accountancy assistants find mistakes or instances of mal-practice in invoices and expenses claims they refer them to the Finance officer for action. In addition they will help with larger issues that might have to do with the whole council or a large department such as social services. For example they may play a key role in dealing with the financial implications of purchase and monitoring of services for those in the community who have special care needs – wheelchairs for the disabled, the costs of running a residential home for the elderly and so on. They may be responsible for monitoring social care and staff budgets, payments to creditors and statistical returns. Sometimes they work in other directorates, like the fire service, which may not have a professional accountant on its pay roll, where they could have special responsibility for ensuring that salaries and suppliers are paid on time.

Skills & Interests

Finance officers need to be:

• numerate, accurate and have good computer skills
• able to meet key deadlines
• able to communicate with colleagues at all levels
• enthusiastic
• experienced in financial and administrative management
• good team workers and leaders.

Entry Requirements

At least two years experience in an accountancy section.

Good information technology skills including financial software packages

Most councils will assume that you have gained a minimum of four GCSE/S grades at C/3 or above, including English and maths. A relevant NVQ/SVQ level 2 may be an acceptable alternative.

There is on the job training and finance officers may qualify as members of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) or The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

Estimated salary range

£19,700 - £27,000 rising to £34,400 - £37,900 for more senior/managerial positions.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

The promotion path is clear and encouraging, but depends upon further qualification and experience. There are many opportunities outside of local authorities in the private sector and in public agencies like the Financial Services Authority.

Within the local sector, finance officers can progress to senior financial management positions and ultimately, with membership of a professional body and further training to professional accountant status.

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